Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupé sets record at $42.9 million

A 1964 Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupé has set a new record as the most expensive American car ever auctioned, selling for $42.905 million at Gooding & Christie's.

The sale took place during Monterey Car Week, an event that saw total vehicle sales reach $747.9 million in 2026. The Daytona Coupé is highly valued due to its extreme rarity, as only six units were originally produced. Designed for long-distance racing such as Le Mans, the model featured a distinctive Kammback body that was aerodynamically advanced for the 1960s and led Shelby to international racing successes, including a class victory in the GT World Championship.